Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is a very good point. In my constituency I am aware of many men who worked in construction and were in receipt of social welfare benefits for nine months, but cannot get other allowances because their wives are working. The rule disqualifies them from participating in any scheme. There are initiatives such as Men's Sheds which help to deal with mental health issues affecting men who have worked for decades but in their latter years are unable to find employment or avail of any schemes. I would commend anything that could be done by the Minister of State to ensure such people are eligible for community employment schemes, Tús, SOLAS or retraining. Something should be done to give such people a purpose. Many men who come to my clinic do not complain about money, because their wives are working; rather, they say they have no reason to get up in the morning because they have nothing to do. If the Minister of State could change the system to ensure women and men who want to retrain and be part of worthwhile schemes can be facilitated, that would be commendable.